Outdoor refillable bait station

ABSTRACT

A device for baiting insects which includes an anchor tube that is placed in the ground, a base plate that attaches to the anchor tube, a cover that attaches to the base plate, a bait cup placed in said anchor tube and that sits beneath the ground, and a termite media support rod that attaches to the bait cup and sits in the anchor tube, beneath the ground, the key to open the cover and access the bait, the anchor tube being molded into one integrated piece with a continuous spiral fin or threaded member that acts as a screw mechanism when inserting the station into the ground and the base plate, which sits at ground level, includes insect entry openings; a cover covers the base plate and bait cup, protecting the bait from the elements; and optionally a termite media support rod, which includes a disk molded on the bottom thereof used to hold material for termite monitoring.

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/626,702, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,015, which was filed on Jul. 27,2000, and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/146,482, filed on Jul. 30, 1999 and entitled “OutdoorRefillable Bait Station”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for baiting, controlling andmonitoring insects and other pests. More specifically, the inventionrelates to a semi-permanent, lockable device for crawling insects aswell as termites and other pests. The device anchors securely in theground, and is tamper resistant helping to prevent children and petsfrom pulling out the device and accessing the bait. The device alsoprotects the bait from the elements, prevents spillage of bait ifkicked, and is extremely sturdy if walked on and low profile to avoidbeing damaged by a lawn mower.

Outdoor refillable stations fit with the Integrated Pest Management(IPM) philosophy that the Pest Control Operator (PCO) industry is movingtowards. They enable PCOs to reduce the amount of pesticides appliedindoors by using more effective, longer lasting perimeter treatments,they reduce the amount of pesticide applied over time and they provide ameans of monitoring to let the PCO know how much, if any, insecticideneeds to be applied in a given location. In addition, outdoor refillablestations allow the PCO a more economical way to deliver bait products.This in turn produces less waste.

In addition to baiting crawling insects, another recent trend has beenthe use of outdoor, refillable stations for termite monitoring (U.S.Pat. No. 5,901,496). These devices are placed underground and are filledwith a non-toxic, termite attracting material. By monitoring thesedevices, PCOs are able to tell whether termites are adjacent to orinfesting a structure, and if so, can execute a treatment plan.

Various devices have been introduced to combat crawling insects andmonitor termites. Devices referred to in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,329,726;5,555,672; 5,746,021; 5,870,853; 5,873,193; 5,901,496; and 5,918,410, aswell as the B&G Perimeter Patrol Station, all incorporate a stake ortube which is attached to the bait station and is inserted into theground. Unlike the current invention, however, these stakes or tubeshave no means of securely holding the devices into the ground.Therefore, the stations can be easily removed by children, who then maybe able to access the contents of the bait stations. They can also betampered with, or dug up by animals. Therefore, there is a need for anoutdoor, refillable station that can be securely anchored into theground.

A primary objective of the present invention is that the bait station issecurely anchored to the ground, and therefore should be difficult toremove by adults, children, or animals.

Another objective of the present invention is that since the bait cup isplaced below ground level, the risk of bait spillage is minimized if thestation is kicked or otherwise disturbed.

Another objective of the present invention is that the bait station islow profile, extremely strong, sturdy, and durable, allowing a longstation life, and protection if the station is stepped on or is run overby a lawn mower.

Another objective of the present invention is a bait station, whichincludes a child resistant lock mechanism that requires a key in orderto open the cover and access the bait.

Another objective of the present invention is that both the base plateand bait cup lip are angled up, reducing the risk that ground surfacewater or drainage from the unit will enter into the bait cup. If surfacewater should enter the unit it will drain out of the unit beforeentering the bait container.

Another objective of the present invention is that if the ground beneaththe anchor tube floods with water, the bait cup will float up and waterwill drain out through the base plate, thus preventing water fromentering into the bait cup unless the station becomes completelysubmerged.

Another objective of the present invention is the ability to provide abait cup that is pre-filled and closed with a snap-on, snap-off cover sopre-filled, interchangeable bait cups can be easily transported withoutbait spillage.

Another objective of the present invention is that the bait cup can holdseveral different pesticide bait forms and/or attractants designed tolure pests, such as granular, liquid, and gel.

Another objective of the present invention is that the station is easilymonitored and serviced by the PCO, and that the bait cup can be refilledon-site or at the PCOs business.

Another objective of the present invention is that the station caneither be filled/refilled with bulk baits by the PCO or that it can befilled/refilled using pre-filled bait cups.

Another objective of the present invention is the use of the anchor tubeas an optional termite monitor/control device support rod, which holdsmaterial to monitor and/or kill termites.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for baiting insects and other pests.The baiting device includes an anchor tube that is placed in the ground,which can hold material to monitor and/or control termites, a base platethat attaches to the anchor tube, a cover that attaches to the baseplate, a bait cup that holds bait beneath the ground, and optionally, atermite media support rod with a disk that attaches to the cup and sitsin the anchor tube, beneath the ground. The anchor tube is preferablymolded into one integrated piece with a continuous external spiral finor threaded member that acts as a screw mechanism when inserting thestation into the ground. The base plate, which sits at ground level andsnaps on after the anchor tube is in place (allowing the base plate tobe installed directly adjacent to a structure) includes pest entryholes, and a textured surface for pests to crawl on before reaching thebait cup. The cup can be used with multiple bait products. The covercovers the base plate and cup, protecting the bait from the elements.The optional termite rod, which includes a disk molded on the bottomthereof, is used to hold material that is used for termite monitoringand/or exterminating.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to readers from a consideration of the ensuingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective of the fully assembled bait station ofthis invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the bait station of thisinvention.

FIG. 3. is a fragmented cutaway view of the cover and base plate withthe bait cup and optional termite media support rod in place.

FIG. 4 is a full sectional view of the anchor tube of the bait stationof this invention.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective of the fully assembled bait station ofthis invention showing a discontinuous external spiral fin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of thisinvention is shown FIGS. 1-5.

The present invention includes the following major components: an anchortube 5, a base plate 20,) a cover 30, a bait cup 40, an optional termitemedia support rod 50, and a key 60. All components are formed out of astrong, durable plastic material, and are molded to be assembled into asingle integrated unit. Other materials can be substituted as needed.All components are molded or formed to be assembled into a single,integrated unit. If termite monitoring/control is not required, thedevice can be assembled without the addition of a termite monitoring orcontrol agent termite media support rod. A weather resistant label forrecording contents, warnings, service dates, etc., that can be writtenupon, can also be provided.

The hollow anchor tube 5 is molded with two open ends, the upper end 11,and the lower end 12. The top portion 6 of the anchor tube 5 forms thehousing for the bait cup 40. The bottom portion of the anchor tube 7includes a continuous spiral fin 8, which could be non-continuous (shownin FIG. 5 as 62), as well as four sets of angled slits 9 that form entryholes for termites into the lower termite monitoring and baiting area.

The base plate 20 attaches to the upper open end 11 of the anchor tube 5using a snap-fit feature 10 and the base plate can freely rotate thereonto prevent removal (by unscrewing) of the anchor tube and whole baitstation. Other known attachment methods can be utilized withoutdetracting from the invention. The base plate 20 includes pest entryholes 21 with guide walls 22 and 27 leading from the periphery of thestation to the central bait cup 40. The guide walls 22 exit in avertical or near vertical orientation from the base 20 and also providethe base 20 and cover 30 assembly with ample strength should the stationbe stepped on or run-over by a-lawn mower. This optimal stiffness toweight ratio is obtained by maximizing the second moment of area in alldirections (moment of inertia) of the base plate 20 while at the sametime keeping the amount of material used within acceptable limits. Thebase plate 20 is flat along the outside edge 25, but can angle uptowards the central hole 24 that houses the bait cup 40. Such anglingwould provide some barrier to flooding rainwater entering the bait cup40 as shown in FIG. 3 and adds stiffness strength. The hinge mechanisms23 and 31 on the base plate and cover semi-permanently attach the twocomponents together. Other known lid attachment methods can be utilizedwithout detracting from the invention.

A lock mechanism is comprised of a receiving member 26 in the base plate20 and a key receiving member 32 in the cover 30 so that only those whohave the matching key 60 can open the cover 30 by inserting key 60through key aperture 33 and access the bait. This lock mechanism 26 and32 reduces the chance that children will open the station, therebymaking the station child resistant when placed in the ground. Otherknown child resistant lid structures can be utilized without detractingfrom the invention.

The bait cup 40, which fits inside the base plate 20 and is housed inthe top portion 6 of the anchor tube 5 and which preferably includesthree thin walled partitions 42, which extend vertically from the bottomto the top of the cup 40. Each partition 42, for example, may extendfrom the inside of cup wall to the center of the cup and meet at thehollow cylindrical section in the center of the cup 41, thereby formingthree equally sized sections. However, the configuration and number ofsections may vary with use. These sections 44 are used to housedifferent pesticides, attractants or materials that aid in killing ortrapping pests. Cups with more or less sections than three can beutilized without detracting from the invention. The cup is molded with aflange 43 that rest along in the circumference of the center hole in thebase plate 24 as well as the upper end 11 of the anchor tube.

The base plate, cup flange and cup can have a smooth surface, but it ispreferred that they have a textured surface to provide insects bettertraction while traveling to and from the bait. The bait cups can be usedalone without bait as an insect trap or certain insects when providedwith a smooth or sticky surface.

The flange 43 on the cup provides insects with an uninterrupted surfacefrom the base plate 20 to the inside of the bait cup 40. The center ofthe bait cup is a hollow cylindrical section 41 which can be used toattach the optional termite media support rod 50.

The optional termite media support rod 50 attaches through the hollowcylindrical section in the center of the cup 41 and extends down throughthe center of the anchor tube 5. A disk 51 is molded at the bottom endof the rod. The purpose of the disk 51 is to hold materials used fortermite monitoring and/or exterminating. The top of the rod attaches tothe bait cup. One attachment means is shown in FIG. 3 as releasable snapfit attachments separately by slot 52 called Knocks that hook at or nearthe top of the hollow tube 41 in the center of the cup 40 and attachedto the hollow tube 41 to enable the inspection of the monitoringmaterial by lifting up on the cup 40. The optional termite rod 50extends from just beneath the top of the cup to the lower open end ofthe anchor tube 12. In place of a media support rod a pest food sourcesuch as cellulose, Styrofoam, or the like can be placed in the hollowanchor tube 5 below the cup 40.

The bait cup can also be provided with a snap on lid that allows bait tobe transported in a replaceable/interchangeable cup. Other known baitcup lids can be used to protect bait while in the station withoutdetracting from the invention.

The invention can be utilized with multiple types of bait. Differentbaits may be attractive to different pests or even to the same pests atdifferent times of the year. For instance, granular, liquid, and gelbaits can each be placed in one of the sections of the bait cup 44. Eachof the cup sections 44 can also hold one of the baits mentioned, orcombinations of baits. Another possibility is that bait can be placed onthe top of the bait cup partitions 42 or on the base plate 20. Theabove-mentioned embodiments are given only as examples; no limitationswith respect to bait configurations is intended or implied.

Method of Operation:

1) In operation, the user places the station in probable areas of pestactivity, or around the perimeter of a structure.

2) An auger is used to dig a hole in the ground, which is the size ofthe outside diameter of the anchor tube cylinder.

3) The anchor tube is then screwed into the hole by hand, with a manualtool, or with a power tool (i.e. engine based or electric motor based).Because the diameter of the spiral fins is greater that the diameter ofthe hole, the fins displace some soil so that the anchor tube securelyaffixes to the ground.

4) When the top of the anchor tube is just above ground level, theoperator then attaches the base and cover (which have been previouslyassembled).

5) The operator optionally places the termite monitoring material in theanchor tube.

6) The operator then fills the bait cup with the appropriate bait and/orattractant etc.

7) The operator inserts the bait cup into the center hole of the baseplate.

8) The operator closes the cover of the station and the lid locksautomatically to the base.

9) Finally, the operator records their name, service dates andpesticides placed in the station on the label, which can be adhered tothe cover.

Another mode of operation involves steps 1-5 above. For step 6, however,the operator may use a pre-filled bait cup rather than filling an emptycup. Steps 7-9 remain the same.

Pests crawl into the station through the entry holes located on the baseplate. The guide walls lead them to the bait cup where they retrieve,ingest, touch bait or are trapped. When bait is present pests thentravel back to their domicile where they share the bait with otherpests.

If children or animals are near the station and are attracted to it, itwill be extremely difficult for them to access the bait from the stationfor the following reasons: 1) the anchor tube is securely anchored intothe ground, making it difficult for children or animals to pull it up oreven move it around; 2) if the base/cover assembly are twisted in anattempt to remove the unit, it will freely rotate and not transfer theapplied torque to the anchor tube, thus preventing the removal of theanchor tube (and bait station) by unscrewing; 3) the cover, which islocked to the base plate, requires a key to open 4) since the bait cupsits beneath the ground, the risk of bait spillage is very low if thestation is kicked or otherwise disturbed.

While the invention has been described in terms of various preferredembodiments, the person skilled in the art to which this inventionpertains will appreciate that various modifications, substitutions,omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spiritthereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the presentinvention be limited only by the scope of the following claims,including equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for baiting insects comprising: a) ananchor tube having a lower open end, an upper open end, a top portion, abottom portion and means for assisting insertion and securing of saidanchor tube into the ground; b) a base plate having a central openingwhich cooperates with the upper open end of the anchor tube and a baitcup, removably attached to said anchor tube top portion communicatingtherewith; and c) a cover hingeably attached to said base plate; saidbait cup having a top opening, vertical partitions therein, and a hollowcentral tubular section for receiving a media support rod, said cupbeing disposed in said central opening of the base plate and in the topportion of said anchor tube during use; wherein said base plate sits atground level during use and includes insect entry holes and internalvertical guide walls to the central opening, further wherein the onlyportions of the device that are beneath the ground level during use arethe anchor tube, the media support rod and the bait cup, and said anchortube is molded into one integrated piece having a discontinuous externalspiral fin or threaded member.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein theanchor tube is made of a plastic material.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the device is made of a plastic material.
 4. The device of claim1, wherein a termite food source is located on the media support rod. 5.A device for baiting insects comprising: a) an anchor tube having alower open end, an upper open end, a top portion, a bottom portion andmeans for assisting insertion and securing of said anchor tube into theground; b) a base plate having a central opening which cooperates withthe upper open end of the anchor tube and a bait cup, removably attachedto said anchor tube top portion communicating therewith; and c) a coverhingeably attached to said base plate; wherein a termite bait is locatedwithin, but not attached to, said anchor tube during use, wherein saidbait cup has a top opening and vertical partitions therein, and, duringuse, said cup is placed in said central opening of the base plate andinto the top portion in said anchor tube, wherein said base plate sitsat ground level during use and includes insect entry holes and internalvertical guide walls to the central opening, further wherein the onlyportions of the device that are beneath the ground level during use arethe anchor tube, the termite bait and the bait cup, wherein said anchortube is molded into one integrated piece having an external spiral finor threaded member.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the means forassisting insertion of said anchor tube into the ground is a threadedmember acting as a screw mechanism.
 7. The device of claim 5, whereinthe means for assisting insertion of said anchor tube into the ground isa discontinuous external spiral fin or discontinuous threaded member.